Chapter 208: In Murim, Truly
‘If there is soone leaking information, they must be rooted out before the operation begins. If information keeps leaking one-sidedly, it is no different than fighting with your eyes closed.’
Jin Seong-un mulled over the advice of Lingbo Immortal Maiden several tis as he returned to his quarters.
It resonated more because the words ca from the branch leader of the Hao Sect, one of the two major intelligence networks in the Central Plains.
As Jin Seong-un returned, Seo Yu-gyeom, who was sprawled out on the floor, lazily waved his hand and asked,
“How did it go? Was there really soone who wanted Cold Bloom refined into spiritual dicine?”
Even Seomun Ak, who had recently been sitting upright like a proper martial hero even while resting, looked over with curiosity.
Jin Seong-un shook his head.
“He was dead.”
“What?”
Seo Yu-gyeom and Seomun Ak jumped to their feet.
Jin Seong-un continued,
“With the help of Lingbo Immortal Maiden, I found the hut where the craftsman was said to be living, but he was already dead. Moreover, it hadn’t been long—his body was still warm.”
At those words, Seo Yu-gyeom’s eyes darkened. As a trained assassin, he was especially good at piecing together fragnted information in his mind.
Without much thought, Seo Yu-gyeom reached a conclusion.
“Is there a spy in the Special Task Force? Well, it wouldn’t be surprising. Even the branch leader of the Murim Alliance was like that. It was Sima Baek, the Chief Strategist, who dispatched the Special Task Force to Yichang in the first place, right? That guy must be suspicious of sothing too.”
Jin Seong-un nodded at the accurate assessnt.
Seomun Ak looked back and forth between Jin Seong-un and Seo Yu-gyeom with a confused expression.
“Can you explain it a bit more clearly? What do you an?”
“How much more clearly do you want it explained?”
Seo Yu-gyeom clicked his tongue in disbelief.
Seomun Ak furrowed his brows, thought deeply with his small head, and finally ca to his own conclusion.
“Moyong Hyeon, that bastard!”
“……”
Jin Seong-un and Seo Yu-gyeom stared at him.
Seomun Ak, eyes blazing, continued,
“If there’s a spy in the Special Task Force, it’s definitely that Moyong Hyeon bastard. He’s been picking fights with Jin Seong-un since the beginning. He even demanded information.”
“You can’t be certain of that. From my experience, there are plenty of people who pick fights for no reason.”
Jin Seong-un said while looking aningfully at Seomun Ak. Seomun Ak, reminded of past events, awkwardly averted his gaze.
After a short silence, Seo Yu-gyeom spoke.
“I think it’s ti we part ways with those guys. Even if we can’t confirm there’s a spy, there’s no reason to carry such dangerous baggage around.”
“If a fight breaks out, they could be of so help.”
“The risk they bring outweighs whatever help they might offer.”
At Seo Yu-gyeom’s words, Jin Seong-un hesitated for a mont, recalling the faces of the Special Task Force mbers.
There was a clear reason Jin Seong-un had been traveling with them.
If a battle broke out with Myriad Gold Manor again—if soone like Jin Cheon-baek, the top expert he’d previously fought, showed up—then having even a bit of help could make a difference.
Better than nothing.
“Is there no way to root out the spy?”
“It won’t be easy.”
Seo Yu-gyeom shook his head and continued,
“The situation is already bad enough. That so-called craftsman is dead, so Mu-gung’s whereabouts are now a mystery, and in the righteous Murim, there’s almost no one we can trust. Our opponent is the wealthiest group in the Central Plains, and we’re just two people fighting them. We can’t afford to drag along useless weight like the Special Task Force.”
“Then why are there two of us?”
Seomun Ak asked, but Seo Yu-gyeom didn’t bother answering. Seomun Ak pouted.
Regardless, Seo Yu-gyeom sighed and said,
“If you want to tell Tang So-yeon and Huamyeong, I won’t stop you. At least we can be sure those two aren’t spies.”
The people of the Tang Clan weren’t capable of spying by nature, and Huamyeong had helped the three of them imprison the Baek Li Clan in the dungeon.
After a brief mont of thought, Jin Seong-un nodded.
“Let’s do that.”
With that, the three of them left the room, having decided to part ways with the Special Task Force.
The mbers of the Special Task Force were gathered at an inn.
Lingbo Immortal Maiden had rented out an entire small inn just for them, so they were able to talk comfortably.
As always, the one leading the eting was Sword Dragon Moyong Hyeon.
“This won’t do. At so point, it started to look like we’re just tagging along with Guest Dragon’s group. Don’t you all feel it?”
Tang So-yeon raised her hand.
Moyong Hyeon deliberately ignored her. Most of what ca out of her mouth was infuriating.
But Tang So-yeon stubbornly said,
“It’s been like that from the start.”
“Is that what matters right now? Why did we gather here? To track down and eliminate the vile group that’s been kidnapping children in the na of the orthodox Murim. Don’t waste your breath on petty things, Miss.”
Tang So-yeon simply shrugged.
She only wanted to pick a fight, but she mostly agreed with what Moyong Hyeon said.
“We need to find a way to get them to cooperate. Seung-ryong, don’t you need results to face your Shaolin elders?”
Seung-ryong of Shaolin, who had been suddenly called out, scratched his bald head awkwardly and nodded.
“Yes, that’s true. But rather than competing for results, we should prioritize the children…”
“It’s the sa thing. Isn’t that right, Jaegal Young Master? Frankly, since Gi-ryong ended up like that, this is your best chance.”
Moyong Hyeon then proceeded to single out each of the later-generation prodigies of the major clans and sects.
It was the sa question each ti.
Shouldn’t heirs of the Five Great Clans and Nine Sects get results before soone who just runs an inn?
As Moyong Hyeon was openly stoking their competitive pride, a calm voice interrupted.
“May this Daoist offer a word?”
The voice was heavy yet soft. Everyone, including Moyong Hyeon, turned to look.
It was a dignified Daoist in blue robes.
Moyong Hyeon flinched slightly, then nodded.
“Of course, Daoist Jeonghyeon.”
Jeonghyeon of Qingcheng Sect.
He wasn’t exceptionally powerful, nor did his sect have overwhelming influence, yet everyone listened intently to his words.
He was the oldest among the Special Task Force and known for his upright and incorruptible conduct.
There wasn’t a single person in the current Murim who regarded him as an enemy.
Jeonghyeon spoke,
“What Moyong Young Master says is not without reason. However, I do not dislike Guest Dragon. In fact, I hold him in high regard.”
“…Is that so?”
“Think about what he has done so far. These are things we, as mbers of the orthodox Murim, should have done ourselves. He is clearly a righteous man. A true martial hero.”
Moyong Hyeon cursed inwardly.
With soone like him saying this, even Moyong Hyeon couldn’t openly criticize Guest Dragon.
‘Considering how he’s perceived within the orthodox faction, especially among the prodigies…’
He couldn’t afford to make an enemy of Jeonghyeon.
That was Moyong Hyeon’s calculation.
As Moyong Hyeon quietly nodded, Jeonghyeon continued,
“If we approach him first with goodwill and ask for cooperation, he doesn’t seem like soone who would refuse. Moyong Young Master, let us try to get along with Guest Dragon. You are certainly capable of that, aren’t you?”
Moyong Hyeon sighed softly.
His plan to stir up the Special Task Force and pressure Guest Dragon had gone up in smoke.
Everyone was nodding at Jeonghyeon’s words.
But Moyong Hyeon was quick with calculations. He knew exactly what he had to say now.
“…Since Daoist Jeonghyeon says so, I’ll try. Though I don’t know if Guest Dragon will accept.”
“Haha, it’s in everyone’s best interest. After all, the one holding the necessary information is Guest Dragon.”
Jeonghyeon wasn’t asking Moyong Hyeon to bow his head in submission. He was advising him to stop creating friction and act more tactfully if he truly wanted information.
Moyong Hyeon understood that as well. Though displeased, he had nothing else to say.
“I’ll do that.”
Just as Moyong Hyeon reluctantly sat down, a voice ca from outside.
“May I co in for a mont?”
It was Guest Dragon.
Everyone looked at Moyong Hyeon, no doubt because of the conversation that had just taken place.
Moyong Hyeon forced a friendly voice.
“…Co in.”
Soon, Jin Seong-un, Seo Yu-gyeom, and Seomun Ak opened the inn door and entered.
Moyong Hyeon rose from his seat to greet them.
“You ca at the right ti, Guest Dragon. I was just about to go find you myself.”
“Sothing to say?”
Jin Seong-un tilted his head and stared at Moyong Hyeon.
Moyong Hyeon raised the corner of his mouth slightly. Forcing a different expression than how he felt made his cheek muscles ache.
With everyone watching, Moyong Hyeon continued,
“I wanted to apologize for the way I behaved toward you earlier. I may have acted sowhat rudely in my haste to carry out the Special Task Force's mission.”
Moyong Hyeon forced a smile as he spoke.
Yes, if it ant getting information, what was a smile or an apology?
Thinking that way, the smile on his face softened a bit.
The eyes of Jin Seong-un, Seo Yu-gyeom, and Seomun Ak narrowed simultaneously as they looked at Moyong Hyeon.
They had already been suspicious of him—now he was suddenly acting out of character, making it even more suspicious.
Jin Seong-un nodded and said,
“I didn’t find it particularly rude.”
To Moyong Hyeon, it sounded more like:
‘What aning is there if an ant bites the ankle of a tiger?’
Of course, that was entirely Moyong Hyeon’s interpretation.
At that mont, a gentle, composed voice transmission from Jeonghyeon echoed in Moyong Hyeon’s ear.
— Young Master, you are soone who can do this.
Perhaps thanks to that, his mind eased a little.
Either way, he had already declared in front of everyone that he would try, so he couldn’t back down now.
“Haha, I appreciate you saying that. Then let us consider the past behind us and going forward—”
“No. This is where it ends. From now on, we move on our own. If you insist on following us, we’re prepared to clash.”
Seo Yu-gyeom cut off Moyong Hyeon’s words. Moyong Hyeon’s expression imdiately hardened.
“What?”
His tone snapped back to normal.
Seo Yu-gyeom smirked knowingly, and Moyong Hyeon’s eyes flared with hostility once more.
Moyong Hyeon was about to burst out in anger when Jeonghyeon of Qingcheng Sect hurriedly tried to intervene.
“Anyone ho?”
A clear and refreshing voice called from outside.
Everyone turned toward the entrance of the inn.
“Knock knock, anyone inside?”
When no one responded, the young man standing outside raised his voice again.
Jin Seong-un glanced at the Special Task Force mbers, then stepped forward and opened the door.
The man looked to be around thirty. Despite his youthful voice, he appeared a bit older. He blinked calmly as he stood at the entrance.
Judging by how he wasn’t startled by the many martial artists inside, he had clearly co here on business.
Moyong Hyeon asked,
“Who sent you?”
The man’s appearance was no different than any ordinary servant or inn waiter, so Moyong Hyeon spoke down to him without concern.
The man, as if that were perfectly natural, bowed politely and answered,
“I’m from the Hao Sect. I heard soone here needed our information.”
“Hao Sect!”
Moyong Hyeon’s eyes widened with delight.
He’d been frustrated about having to humble himself before Guest Dragon for information, but now the Hao Sect had finally responded to the Murim Alliance’s request.
Moyong Hyeon cautiously asked,
“Did Lingbo Immortal Maiden send you?”
She was the branch leader of the Hao Sect and seed close to Guest Dragon.
If it was her doing, the information might be ant for Guest Dragon and not the Special Task Force.
However, the man grinned and shook his head.
“No. From soone higher up.”
“Splendid!”
Moyong Hyeon slapped his knee.
He then approached the man and asked,
“So, who sent you? Wait—more importantly, give us the information. What have you learned about the enemy?”
“Huh? Why would I tell you, Young Master Moyong?”
The man blinked, as if he were genuinely confused.
Moyong Hyeon’s face twisted.
“I ca here to deliver the information to Guest Dragon, not the Special Task Force.”
Moyong Hyeon’s brow twitched.
“You’re saying you’d ignore the Murim Alliance’s request and deliver the information to Guest Dragon instead? Is that truly the stance of the Hao Sect?”
“Of course.”
“And why is that ‘of course’? We made the request under the Alliance Leader’s order. This isn’t just any matter—it’s about missing children. Surely the Hao Sect understands the seriousness of that.”
The man nodded along emphatically, as if it were obvious.
“Murim Alliance Leader? Ah yes, a great man. A peerless hero. Very powerful too. But Guest Dragon here used to be an inn waiter. And the Hao Sect always preferred waiters over martial artists. I was one myself, actually.”
Moyong Hyeon was too dumbfounded to respond.
Setting aside the man’s irkso tone, everything he said was downright blasphemous.
Openly ignoring the Murim Alliance Leader’s request wasn’t sothing an ordinary Hao Sect mber would dare say.
Moyong Hyeon asked in a chilling tone,
“Bring your superior. I have no intention of speaking to a lowly grunt like you.”
“My superior? The Hao Sect doesn’t really do ranks... Hmm, should I bring the Hao Sect Leader then?”
Moyong Hyeon flinched.
And he wasn’t alone. The entire Special Task Force had similar reactions.
Little was known about the Hao Sect Leader. Even heirs of the Five Great Clans and Nine Sects couldn’t treat him lightly.
Though founded by lowly folk, the Hao Sect had beco one of the Central Plains’ two great intelligence organizations.
To speak with the sect’s leader, one had to be of at least elder rank within a prestigious clan.
“W-What? The Hao Sect Leader is in Lanzhou?”
“Yes, nearby. Shall I bring him?”
Moyong Hyeon hesitated.
Was it the right decision to et the Hao Sect Leader?
But he couldn’t let Guest Dragon get the information again. If this continued, the sha of the Special Task Force would spread across the entire Central Plains.
“Fine. Bring him.”
He might be a difficult opponent, but at least he’d be easier to talk to than this mouthy underling.
Besides, Moyong Hyeon was curious about the mysterious Hao Sect Leader.
The man nodded and strode toward the entrance.
Then, just as he reached the doorway, he twirled in his robes and ca walking back in.
Standing before the stunned Moyong Hyeon, the man nodded and spoke in a hearty voice.
“Nice to et you. I am the Hao Sect Leader. I represent all the waiters, courtesans, coachn, ferryn, and porters in the Central Plains. Not that it matters whether they acknowledge
or not.”
“……”
“I live by the philosophy of distancing myself from the noble and staying close to the lowly. But recently, a noble clan-born inn waiter popped up, and I’ve been torn. Should I treat him as noble or lowly? What do you think?”
Moyong Hyeon blinked.
Everyone else wore similar expressions.
Even Jin Seong-un looked seriously at the man who had introduced himself as the Hao Sect Leader.
‘Is there truly no sane person left in Murim?’
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